Conservation partners

The Ohio State University's Stone LaboratoryStone Lab provides the base of operations for much of Respect The Snake's activities. Many members of Team Snake have been involved in Stone Lab's REU program and taken classes at the lab.​The Rich King Lab at Northern Illinois University (NIU)Rich King is the godfather of Lake Erie Watersnakes. Dr. King started working with LEWS way back in 1979 and has come back to the islands every summer since. The King lab at NIU always has graduate students working on some aspect of LEWS biology along with an array of other Great Lakes region herpetological studies.

US Fish & Wildlife ServiceThe USFWS continues to play an active role in LEWS conservation, sending several of their biologists up to assist with the Nerodio every year. Visit their website for access to important documents like the LEWS Federal Recovery Plan.

Ohio Division of WildlifeThe Ohio Division of Wildlife has been a key factor in the speedy recovery of the Lake Erie watersnake. In addition to providing finacial support, Division employees have come out to assist in the Nerodio, film several episodes of Wild Ohio and assist in many of our outreach endeavors over the years.

The Herpetologists League (HL)A professional society that supports the scientific study of reptiles and amphibians. They publish Herpetologica and Herpetological Monographs.

The Center for North American Herpetology (CNAH)An organization founded by Joe Collins in 1998 and promotes the preservation and conservation of North American herpetiles through education and good scientific information. This site provides over 275 links to other herpetological websites, has frequent job listings and a very handy open-access pdf library.

The Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management"The Herp Center" was established in 2000 by Bruce Kingsbury at Indiana-Purdue University Ft. Wayne (IPFW). Their mission is to promote education and conservation of Midwestern herps through research, education and outreach. The site has excellent species accounts for many herps of the midwest as well as downloadable conservation materials including a guide on how to build vernal pools.

Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)A national conservation organization dedicated to protecting reptiles and amphibians and their habitats. PARC focuses both on preserving threatened and endagered species as well as keeping common species common. The organization has regional working groups and encourages participation by anyone (agency employees, students, scientists, hobbiests) interested in helping to conserve these species.

Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologists (NOAH)Dedicated to the education of both the members and the public in the areas of herpetological ecology and conservation as well as responsible captive care and breeding. The society has a small grants program that supports local herpetological research and conservation projects. The society has monthly meetings in the Cleveland Area.

The Greater Cincinnati Herpetological SocietyDedicated to promoting good welfare of reptiles and amphibians through self and public education. The society provides low-cost educational live herp programs available to the public as well as free educational lectures during their monthly meetings (Rowe Woods Nature Center). The society also has a small grant program which supports herpetological conservation projects.

The Michigan Society of HerpetologistsDedicated to public education of Michigan reptiles and amphibians. The society provides a lecture series and group field trips available to members of the society and highly encourages family involvement. They also raise funds to support local conservation projects. The group meets at both the John Ball Zoo just outside of Grand Rapids and the Scott Center located in the mid-Michigan area.

Save The Frogs!Save The Frogs is an non-profit organization dedicated to conserving our amphibian friends. Save the Frogs is made up of an international team of scientists, educators, policymakers and naturalists dedicated to protecting the world’s amphibian species: the frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and caecilians.​